Opposition disinclined towards Nepal PM's statute changes

Nepali Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal "Prachanda" is in a tight spot as he prepares to table in Parliament the second Amendment to the Constitution in the next few days but the opposition seems not to be supporting him, the media reported on Sunday.

As the country marks the tenth anniversary of the peace accord this week, Prachanda assured the Madhesi parties that he would deliver this time, but they are not satisfied with his promise, the Nepali Times reported.

The Communist Party of Nepal (United Marxist-Leninist), the second largest party in the Nepali Parliament, has told the Prime Minister that it will not support the bill.

The Nepali Congress, the coalition partner of Prachanda's Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist Centre), is letting him stew.

But Prachanda told the Nepali Times this week that he does not feel burdened by his work.

CPN-Maoist-Centre politburo member Bodh Raj Upadhyay said: "The chairman (Prachanda) has lost his charisma, the cadre are frustrated and our party is on the verge of collapse. He needs to make a bold and quick move. If he succeeds, it will revive our party and his political career."

Prachanda is trying to make the Constitution "broadly acceptable" to all by pushing four amendments -- tinkering with federal boundaries, easing restrictions on the rights of naturalised citizens, ensuring proportional representation in Parliament and recognising more official languages.

But the CPN-UML is opposing the Prime Minister's proposals, saying these are not in the interest of Nepalis and are directed by a foreign hand.

The Federal Alliance has rejected the amendment bill, and even the Madhesi Front is lukewarm towards it.

--IANS

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